WDL: Dundalk 6-0 Sligo Rovers

Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Dundalk FC began life in the new FAI Women’s Development League in emphatic style, powering past Sligo Rovers with six goals after a day that delivered every kind of weather Oriel Park could throw at both teams.

In a first half played through wind, rain and bursts of sunshine, Dundalk carried the greater attacking threat and created the clearer chances. Sligo goalkeeper McMahon kept her side in contention with a series of strong saves, most notably denying Nana Michelle Koudjou and Ciara Brady as Dundalk pressed for an opener.

The breakthrough arrived ten minutes after the restart. Megan O’Connor’s corner was delivered with real quality and Brady met it perfectly, powering a header into the net to put Dundalk in front on 55 minutes.

O’Connor nearly produced an immediate repeat on the hour, but Koudjou’s glancing header drifted just wide of the far post.

Dundalk’s second goal came courtesy of instant impact from the bench. Within a minute of being introduced, Siún Kirby won possession on the right, skipped past a challenge and squared for Sophie Hanlon, who sent a swerving strike beyond McMahon and into the roof of the net.

Hanlon struck again on 73 minutes—this time rising highest to head home another pinpoint O’Connor set-piece delivery to make it 3-0. Two minutes later, McMahon produced an excellent save to deny Hanlon a third, but Dundalk quickly added a fourth when Shauna Smyth’s effort from distance took a deflection on its way past the goalkeeper.

Hanlon completed a superb hat-trick on 78 minutes, breaking clear down the left and finishing calmly despite McMahon getting close to keeping it out.

Dundalk weren’t finished there. On 87 minutes, Makenzie Crowley broke clear and fired home from the edge of the box to complete the scoring and make it 6-0—sealing a commanding opening-day victory.

Dundalk: Laughton-Tyler, Cox, Martin, O’Connor, Brady, Maher, Treanor, Clavin, Smyth, Marut, Koudjou. Subs: Hanlon, Kirby, Crowley, Freeman,

Sligo Rovers: McMahon, McQuinn, Gray-Harrigan, Dudziak, McCarthy, McKenna, Barrett, Flynn, Kelly, Reynolds, Quinn.